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Monday, July 4, 2016

FOURTH OF JULY IN COSTA RICA

American Colony to host 56th annual U.S. Independence Day picnic TOMORROW.

Patriotism never looked so adorable. Photo: Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times

GUEST BLOG—By Michael Krumholtz, reporter, Tico Times, San Juan,
Costa Rica--For one day out of the year U.S. citizens
and their Tico friends and families have a reasonable excuse to pig out on hot
dogs, drink beer before noon, and get in ultra-competitive water balloon
fights.

That day is soon approaching as the
American Colony Committee hosts its 56th annual 4th of July picnic on this Sunday. That's tomorrow.

Though the party technically falls on the
3rd this year, there will be no shortage of Independence Day spirit on hand for
this year’s picnic, which will include a litany of family activities and games,
as well as hot dogs and domestic birra.

A water balloon toss at the American Colony’s 2015 Independence Day picnic. Photo: Alberto Font/The Tico Times

The picnic will again be held at Cervecería
Costa Rica in Alajuela just off the General Cañas Highway. Event-goers can no longer park along the side
of the road, but there will be safe parking off of the Río Segundo road with
free shuttle bus service going to and from the entrance.

This year’s picnic is scheduled to run
Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, with the all-important flag raising ceremony
happening at 11 a.m. There will be a post-picnic fireworks show at 6 p.m. on
Avenida Escazú.

Hot dogs seal the deal. Photo: Robert Isenberg/The Tico Times

The picnic is open to all U.S. citizens and
their immediate families. Each U.S. citizen is allowed to bring one Costa Rican
friend. U.S. citizens must show their passports and Ticos must show their
cédula at the entrance.

A donation of ₡5,000, or $10, is collected at the entrance. All drinks, food,
and games are included in the admission. Children 5 and under get in free.

This year’s live music comes courtesy of
the band CRC. On the dance floor, the Coffee Pickin’ Squares will also be
keeping the crowd entertained with square dancing.

Other activities include face painting,
water balloon contests, volleyball and sack races and of course, the flag raising. And, did we mention hot dogs?

Picnic committee image

Picnic Committee Photos

Alberto Font/The Tico Times

For more news from the Tico Times and to subscribe to their news free blog: Contact Michael Krumholtz at mkrumholtz@ticotimes.net